Enzymes as therapeutic agents

Enzymes are the extremely selective biocatalysts synthesized by living cells. Enzymes possess specificity, greater affinity, and high catalytic efficiency. They are required for many chemical interconversions that support life and speed up all the biochemical processes in the body. These entire characteristics distinguish them from all other types of drugs. Due to these characteristics, enzymes are widely used medically either alone or adjunctly with other therapies, with the purpose of treatment of various diseases safely. Use of these enzymes as drugs for the treatment of medical problems forms the basis for the "therapeutic use of enzymes." Medically important enzymes produced by microorganisms have the advantage of being economically feasible and consistent. They have high yields and are easy for product modification and optimization. Information on this topic is meager and thus the present book chapter is an attempt to compile information on the sources, production, applications, and future prospects of important therapeutic enzymes.